Cristine Hall
They came. They toured. They committed.
Spring Preview Day brought hundreds of admitted students and their families to Chapman’s Orange campus on April 11 for academic presentations, campus and residence hall tours, and the chance to meet current students and faculty.
Many left with zero doubts. We asked some of them why. Here’s what they said.
People are genuinely happy here.
“A big thing for me is community. Every other film school I’ve been looking at is more competition-based and cutthroat. This feels like once you’re in, everybody’s working together. People seem genuinely happy, which makes me happy.” — Evelyn Galenkamp, Atlanta, Film & TV Production Major, Emphasis in Directing
“Legitimately, the enthusiasm of the kids that we talked to is off the wall. For me, that sold me. Everybody is so excited to be here.” — Rob Galenkamp, Evelyn’s dad
You can build your own path.
“I’m thinking maybe I’ll do a double major — health sciences and environmental sciences. You can pursue a lot of interests. This college basically represents me. I’ll get to mix things up.” — Eian Montilla, Castaic, CA, Environmental Sciences Major
“Students here explore who they are. They get to be innovative, to create themselves. You know it’s not a competition with others. It’s a competition with yourself, to build yourself into whoever you want to be.” — Eugene Vidal-Montilla, Eian’s mom
“I got to see the clubs out there, and I was just looking at them like, that could be me doing all that stuff.” — Isabel Coronado, Imperial Valley, CA, Health Sciences Major
“The new programs they have coming out — like working with business and film, and the Shark Tank thing they have happening. I really want to do that.” — Evelyn Galenkamp
The location is beautiful, and it puts you where opportunity is.
“I came here for a summer dance intensive and fell in love as soon as I stepped on campus. It was the coolest experience. And I just kept coming back to the summer dance intensives, and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else. I love it so much.” — Ellie Burt, Dallas, Psychology major, Dance minor
“I love everything about Orange. It just feels right for her. It’s a small town, and everyone is so friendly and willing to help and make you feel comfortable. We really have enjoyed everything about it.” — Ashley Burt, Ellie’s mom
“The campus is great, and it’s right in this area that you get to explore. One of the biggest appeals is the surrounding area, Old Towne Orange.” — Callum Sloman, Seattle, Business Administration
“The location is where you want to be if you want a job.” — Evelyn Galenkamp
Small classes mean professors actually know you.
“I loved how the class sizes are small. I just came from a session, and I got to talk to one of the professors, and talking to her made me feel so excited. I came today because I wanted to meet the professors. I’m just so happy, so satisfied.” — Isabel Coronado
“The professors work one on one with you and that is not like other colleges.” — Eian Montilla
“The feeling of being here — going to the morning session, learning the different sides of Health Sciences and the pathways — it was enlightening. Seeing the support with the counselors, and the RAs. The connection is very personal, and that makes a difference. The atmosphere is awesome. The people here — the administrators, the students — they’re different.” — Emmy Montilla, Eian’s dad
At Chapman, you learn how to live a good life.
“Most people say college is all about hard work. This is different. They balance out your personal life, balance what you want to do in life, and I feel like these values are what makes Chapman different from any other college I’ve visited.” — Eian Montilla
“For me, it was student life. I mean, students are very involved. There are students who are a part of five different clubs plus a sorority, and they seem to balance education and their extracurriculars really well.” — Sophia Catalan, Santa Ana, CA, Business Administration
“I got to see the Fish Interfaith Center, and that caught my attention. I’m religious, so I’m definitely going to go. It’s awesome.” — Isabel Coronado
“Even just the Greek life — at some schools it’s so intimidating. Here it just feels like you can be involved in everything. It’s been a hard no for a lot of other schools, and today was like a hard yes for Chapman.” — Leslie Jerge, Julia’s mom
May 1 is closer than you think. These students know where they’re headed.
This is what “Yes” feels like.
Take the Next Step
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Admitted student events run through the end of April.
